Chapter 039: Yun'er and Xinghao

  The sword energy was fierce, and the black-clothed youth's long sword continuously sliced through the void. On the blade, there were faint, intricate patterns, exceptionally profound and tinged with purple.

  Although the youth's internal energy was weak, the strange divine light emanating from those patterns made the sword energy he unleashed astonishingly powerful.

  "What is this?" Yang Tian licked his dry lips, staring intently at the black-clothed youth's sword. When he noticed the subtle patterns, he murmured in disbelief, "It's actually a semi-finished Dao artifact. Who are these two?"

  Semi-finished Dao artifacts are items that have not yet developed complete divine patterns. Although their power is far inferior to true Dao artifacts, they are still much stronger than peak Profound-grade items.

  "Little sister, you go ahead. I'll find a way to escape. Go and get help, or we'll both die here. Go!" With a slash that forced the demon wolf back, the black-clothed youth roared. Facing the still-strong demon wolf, he knew he couldn't hold out much longer.

  "Yun'er won't leave..." The girl, her legs curled up, swallowed a pill and showed no intention of leaving. Her hands clenched tightly together, her demeanor tugging at a chord in Yang Tian's heart.

  "Brother, are you doing well? Do you know about our parents' misfortune? Where are you now?" Yang Tian's mind sank into deep thought, filled with both longing and endless resentment.

  Just as Yang Tian was lost in thought, the battle took a drastic turn. The demon wolf's speed suddenly increased, and its powerful forelimbs struck at the black-clothed youth's back.

  Bang!

  Despite wearing protective armor, the youth was sent flying by the tremendous force, crashing through several trees before finally stabilizing himself.

  "Pfft..." A mouthful of blood sprayed out. The black-clothed youth frowned, his broad and resolute face twitching slightly. He then raised his head to look at the demon wolf.

  "Roar!" The demon wolf's body suddenly turned, its ferocious eyes locking onto the girl in the distance. With a low growl, it charged toward her.

  "Stop! You beast, stop!"

  The youth's face turned pale, and he let out a desperate roar. Veins bulged on his forehead, and the muscles on his arms seemed ready to burst. But the speed of the demon wolf left him helpless.

  "Am I going to die?" The fierce wind assaulted the girl's body, causing her curled legs to tremble. Her delicate face was devoid of color. For someone so young, death was a terrifying prospect.

  "Consider yourself lucky." Seeing the girl's pitiful state, Yang Tian sighed, put down Xiao Bai, and rushed out from behind the ancient tree. The longing in his eyes vanished in an instant.

  "Bang!" With a powerful stomp, Yang Tian leaped into the air like a gust of wind, charging toward the demon wolf.

  Boom!

  The girl, who had closed her eyes waiting for death, was startled by the sudden loud noise. As her eyelids fluttered, she found herself held by a strong arm, a wave of masculine energy filling her senses.

  The youth's angry expression froze, and his pupils dilated in shock. He saw a boy around his age gripping the demon wolf's massive arm with his bare hand, and the boy's arm didn't budge an inch.

  "Incredible physical strength. He's not even half a step into the Martial realm, yet he can contend with a second-tier beast." The black-clothed youth exclaimed inwardly, amazed.

  "Who is he?" The image of a resolute face was deeply imprinted in Yun'er's heart. Her lively eyes gazed into Yang Tian's calm ones, and this moment was etched into her memory.

  "Roar!"

  The demon wolf let out an angry roar, its dark eyes gleaming with ferocity. It swung its right arm with tremendous force, aiming to smash Yang Tian's head.

  "Still so arrogant even when heavily injured." Yang Tian sneered, setting the girl down. With a powerful thrust, he leaped into the air, his spine arching like a dragon, and slammed into the demon wolf's body.

  "Boom! Boom!" Yang Tian's figure flashed like a gust of wind, his crimson fists resembling an indestructible iron spear, clashing with the demon wolf's massive arm. The air exploded with thunderous sounds, deafening and relentless.

  Boom! Boom!

  The girl blinked, her eyes sparkling as she watched Yang Tian, solid as a rock, collide with the demon wolf. His seemingly frail body was as unyielding as iron, steady and unmovable.

  Clang!

  The rich blood energy within Yang Tian surged, faint winds howling around him. His fists glowed with a crystalline red light, stars seemingly bursting from them, causing the air to ripple. The crimson energy filled the void, resonating with a metallic clang that shook the heart.

  "Why is his body so strong?" The girl, like a curious child, studied Yang Tian. Human bodies were fragile, and to cultivate such strength was unheard of in her experience.

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  "Aren't you going to help?" Yang Tian, having punched the demon wolf back, felt a numbing sensation in his arm. He glanced at the black-clothed youth and spoke in a deep voice.

  Although the demon wolf was severely injured, its body was still intact. Yang Tian couldn't guarantee he could finish it off.

  "Oh... right..." Grateful, the black-clothed youth quickly rushed over, his sword slashing at the demon wolf's vital points.

  "Brother, thank you for saving us earlier. I am deeply grateful." The black-clothed youth, after cutting off one of the demon wolf's bone spikes, expressed his gratitude sincerely.

  Yang Tian glanced at him, feeling no particular dislike for the youth. He nodded slightly, "No need for thanks. Just call me Yang Tian."

  "Brother Yang, I'm Xinghao. Thank you for saving my sister earlier. I will repay you greatly in the future." With a laugh, Xinghao chopped off another bone spike, his tone carrying a hint of relief after narrowly escaping death.

  Yang Tian nodded, his eyes narrowing as he observed the heavily panting demon wolf. It was now on its last legs, most of its bone spikes severed and one leg broken.

  "Trying to run?"

  Seeing the demon wolf turn to flee, Yang Tian coldly shouted. His eyes flashed with a cold light as he stomped the ground, his body appearing behind the demon wolf in an instant. With a lightning-fast move, he grabbed the demon wolf's tail.

  "Incredible speed." Xinghao exclaimed, his eyes filled with astonishment. He muttered, "He's no ordinary disciple. How come I've never heard of him? Without absorbing ancient energy at Martial Mountain, he's already this strong at the ninth level of Blood Refinement, and his body is even more monstrous. Which family does he belong to?"

  "Up you go!"

  Yang Tian roared, a river of blood energy surging above his head, emitting a blazing red light. He continuously channeled the blood energy, his strength skyrocketing as he lifted the demon wolf's massive body and slammed it into the ground.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  The demon wolf's bones cracked and shattered, blood gushing from its mouth and nose. Its body convulsed in pain, its agonized roars echoing continuously.

  "So violent." The girl covered her mouth with her delicate hand, her eyes wide with amazement. Her clenched fists relaxed, and she patted her chest in relief.

  "Such vigorous blood energy. His vitality is only slightly weaker than mine. Which family could produce such a genius? Could he be from an ancient clan?" Xinghao was shocked. Yang Tian's blood energy was vibrant and full of life, far surpassing his peers. No ordinary family could nurture such talent.

  The demon wolf struggled fiercely, but its hind leg felt as if it were caught in a vice. Its internal organs were being crushed, and its struggles gradually slowed until its body stiffened.

  "Eight years ago, there was a Yang family, but they were annihilated by the Blood Demon Palace." Xinghao's mind raced through the names of prominent disciples from various sects, but none matched Yang Tian's appearance.

  After a moment of thought, Xinghao quickly approached, pointing to the girl. "Brother Yang, this is my younger sister, Xing Yun'er. Thank you for saving her earlier. I will never forget your kindness."

  "I just happened to pass by. No need for formalities, Brother Xing." Yang Tian nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two. He didn't dare underestimate them—two half-step Martial artists who had managed to injure a demon wolf known for its offensive power. Their strength surpassed his own.

  "Brother Yang, thank you for earlier. You can call me Yun'er." Yun'er quickly walked over, bowing slightly to Yang Tian. Her voice was melodious and clear, like the sound of silver bells.

  Looking at the girl before him, a faint, elegant fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Yang Tian scratched his head and smiled slightly, "No need to be so polite."

  "Whoosh, whoosh." Seeing the second-tier beast dead, Xiao Bai quickly darted out from behind the ancient tree, arriving beside the demon wolf in an instant.

  "What is that? How is it so fast?" A white blur moved with incredible speed, startling Xinghao. His eyes widened in shock.

  "It's nothing, just..."

  Before Yang Tian could finish, his expression froze. Xiao Bai's seemingly frail claws tore through the demon wolf's flesh with ease, extracting a core and swallowing it in one gulp.

  "Oh no." Yang Tian rushed over, watching as Xiao Bai devoured the core with apparent satisfaction. He was shocked—how could the little creature handle the core of a second-tier beast without any issues?

  "What kind of beast is this?" Xinghao and Yun'er exchanged glances, both filled with astonishment. The body of a second-tier beast was incredibly tough, yet this harmless-looking creature had torn it apart with a single swipe.

  Beasts could consume cores to cultivate, but Xiao Bai had no cultivation base. Moreover, the energy within a second-tier beast's core was extremely violent and chaotic, yet Xiao Bai showed no signs of distress.

  Yang Tian smirked, patting Xiao Bai's head, pretending to scold, "Aren't you afraid of bursting?"

  "Ow..." Xiao Bai let out a low whine, its snow-white fur rubbing against Yang Tian's arm in a pleading manner, making Yang Tian roll his eyes.

  "Wow, what a cute little beast! Brother Yang, what kind of beast is this?" Yun'er's eyes sparkled as she looked at Xiao Bai's snow-white fur. She quickly ran over, exclaiming in delight.

  "Ow..." Seeing a pair of delicate hands reaching for it, Xiao Bai "whooshed" onto Yang Tian's shoulder, baring its teeth at Yun'er and emitting a warning growl.

  "Little guy, calm down." Yang Tian flicked Xiao Bai's head, then looked up at Yun'er's pouting face, unable to suppress a laugh. "This is Xiao Bai, my companion."

  "Oh, so it's Xiao Bai." Yun'er's eyelashes fluttered as she murmured, her fingers itching to touch the little creature again.

  Xiao Bai bared its teeth, jumping up and down on Yang Tian's shoulder.

  "Haha, this little guy is really smart." Xinghao was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter at Xiao Bai's antics.

  "Xiao Bai is shy and doesn't like to be touched." Yang Tian rubbed Xiao Bai's head, then glanced at the two. "Brother Xing, Yun'er, I have matters to attend to. I'll take my leave now. Perhaps we'll meet again."

  With that, Yang Tian's figure vanished before their eyes. Xinghao quickly called out, "Brother Yang, how can I contact you in the future? I must repay you for saving our lives!"

  "He called me Yun'er..." Twirling a strand of her hair, Yun'er stared at the spot where Yang Tian had disappeared, a radiant smile blooming on her delicate face, like a lotus in full bloom.

  "Ahem..." Xinghao gave Yun'er a strange look, waving his hand in front of her face. "Little sister, what are you thinking about? He's already gone."

  "You... go to hell." Yun'er's face flushed crimson, her ears turning red as well. She quickly turned away, spitting out in embarrassment.

  "Haha, let's recover from our injuries. With Brother Yang's talent, he's bound to go to Martial Mountain. Maybe we'll meet him there." Xinghao laughed heartily, watching Yun'er's flustered expression.

  On his journey, Yang Tian didn't continue cultivating his body. After more than ten days, his Gale Palm technique had reached a minor achievement. His cultivation level remained at the eighth level of Blood Refinement, but he hadn't broken through.

  Above the bridge of his Dantian, a river of blood energy churned, each drop solid and seemingly imbued with immense power. A rich vitality continuously emanated from it.

  During these days, Yang Tian had been pondering Xiao Bai's origins. Not only was Xiao Bai incredibly fast and physically strong, but Yang Tian had also noticed something strange—every day, the energy from the cores Xiao Bai consumed would vanish without a trace, yet its body grew at an astonishing rate.

  This made Yang Tian envious. All Xiao Bai needed to do was consume cores to cultivate its body.